According to RIA, North American-based robotics companies reported new orders up 20% in 2012. Total of 16,363 robots, valued at $1.1 billion were ordered in first 9 months, representing increase of 20% in units and 29% in dollars over same period in 2011. Including numbers outside North America, totals are 18,844 robots valued at $1.25 billion. While automotive OEM and component suppliers were largest contributor, other industries include metalworking and life sciences/pharma/biomedical.
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For the second year in a row, a vehicle from Chrysler Group LLC has been named Vehicle Engineering Team Award winner by the Automotive Division of SPE, as part of group’s 42nd-annual Automotive Innovation Awards Competition. The winner is the 2013 model year (MY) SRT Viper® supercar from Chrysler Group LLC’s Street and Racing Technology brand. Plastics and composites were key enablers in creating their most outstanding vehicle to date while lowering vehicle mass approximately 100 lb.
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Driver and front passenger airbags on 1974 Oldsmobile® Toronado® luxury 2-door hardtops, produced by then General Motors Corp., are 2012 Hall of Fame winner of SPE's 42nd annual Automotive Innovation Awards Competition. To be considered for award, automotive-plastic component must have been in continuous service for at least 15 yr. John Calabrese, VP-Global Vehicle Engineering at General Motors, will accept award on November 7, 2012 at Automotive Innovation Awards Gala in Livonia, MI.
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During IPC APEX EXPO® Hand Soldering Competition, February 19-20, 2013, skilled competitors will attempt to build functional electronics assembly within 30-minute time limit and earn coveted spot in IPC World Championship on February 21. IPC Master Instructors will judge assemblies on soldering in accordance with IPC-A-610E, overall electrical functionality of assembly and speed at which assembly was produced. Cash prizes of $500, $250, and $100 will be awarded to top 3 finalists.
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AASHTO's Transportation TV today announced its first program of series called Asset Management Now with Matt Hardy. As AASHTO's program director for planning and policy, Hardy will host this monthly show to highlight ways in which state transportation departments and other agencies use asset management to stretch dollars and streamline project delivery. First program will feature interview with AASHTO President and Director of Michigan Department of Transportation Kirk Steudle.
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According to October 2012 Monthly Confidence Index for the Equipment Finance Industry, confidence is 53.3, relatively unchanged from September index of 53.0, reflecting steady industry confidence despite economic, political, and regulatory concerns. When asked to assess business conditions over next 4 months, 8.6% of executives said they believe business conditions will improve, relatively unchanged from 8.8% in September, and 74.3% believe business conditions will remain the same.
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According to NTSB, FAA should inform domestic and foreign manufacturers of airplanes that are certified under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Parts 23 and 25 about circumstances of accident. FAA should also work with Flight Test Safety Committee to develop and issue detailed flight test operating guidance that addresses deficiencies documented in this report, and to develop and issue flight test safety program guidelines based on best practices in aviation safety management.
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Caterpillar Inc. and Hewlett-Packard were chosen as 2012 APICS Corporate Awards of Excellence winners. Education Award of Excellence winner Caterpillar Inc. was recognized for its "Integrated Supply Chain Strategy" initiative, which improved expertise in APICS body of knowledge. Innovation Award of Excellence winner Hewlett-Packard was commended for its solution to supply chain challenges that built strong supplier partnerships while reducing costs and maintaining high customer service.
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ASTM International Committee C13 on Concrete Pipe presented Award of Merit to Wallace J. Munden. Member of ASTM International and Committee C13 since 1994, Munden works on several C13 subcommittees and was chairman of Subcommittee C13.07 on Acceptance Specifications and Precast Concrete Box Sections from 2002–2010. He was also member-at-large on C13.90 Executive Subcommittee from 2005–2011 and has provided significant technical knowledge in development of several concrete pipe standards.
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As part of FABTECH 2012 exhibition, which takes place in Las Vegas, NV from November 12–14, State of the Industry: Manufacturers' Executive Outlook roundtable will feature CEOs who remain optimistic that growth experienced by manufacturers since 2010 will continue for third year. This event, to be moderated by FMA economic analyst Dr. Chris Kuehl, will feature CEOs that represent diversity of businesses that specialize in different technologies and serve different customer base.
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In her statement regarding discussion of sequestration during final Presidential Debate, AIA President Marion C. Blakey said "It's good to see basic agreement between the candidates" and added that a solution must be found immediately. "While President Obama and Governor Romney disagree on their approach to deficit reduction," continued Blakey, "the fact remains that sequestration would be a serious mistake." Blakey also called upon Congress to act quickly to stop said impending crisis.
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ASTM E2865, Guide for Measurement of Electrophoretic Mobility and Zeta Potential of Nanosized Biological Materials focuses on zeta potential in systems containing biological material, such as proteins, DNA, liposomes, and other organic materials. Developed by Subcommittee E56.02, standard would be used by protein formulation personnel in pharmaceutical industry – particularly those concerned with protein therapies and shelf life stability of preparations.
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Papers are invited for Sixth International Symposium on Small Specimen Test Techniques, which will be held January 29–31, 2014 in Houston, TX and address experimental, analytical, or computational aspects of small (and miniature) specimen techniques as well as their applications. To participate, presenters/authors must submit 250–300 word preliminary abstract by February 28, 2013 that includes clear definition of objective and approach of work discussed.
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ASTM WK37294, Test Method for the Laboratory Measurement of Mechanical Impedance of Building Elements and Prediction of the Sound Transmission Loss Performance, is being developed by Subcommittee E33.03 on Sound Transmission, part of ASTM International Committee E33 on Building and Environmental Acoustics. Standard measures loss factor and equivalent bending rigidity modulus of composites, drywall, plywood, and similar building elements with aim of comparing damping properties.
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CU Americas of Plymouth, MI, was founded in 2008 and is a division of one of the largest bearing manufacturers in China--CU Group. Infor of New York, NY joined PTDA as an associate member, and offers distributors enterprise software solutions. Located in Croydon, PA, Macron Dynamics, Inc. is a manufacturer of linear robots and mechanical motion components and systems. Finally, Sedis of Troyes Cedex, France, manufactures industrial chains and was founded in 1866 as Peugeot.
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Sponsored by ASTM International Committee D18 on Soil and Rock, Continuous Soil Gas Measurements: Worst Case Risk Parameters symposium will be held Jan 30, 2013. Event will focus on newly released critical continuous soil gas monitoring parameters associated with industrial activity around the world. From oil/gas companies and chemical companies through to small industrial sites, there is a growing need to understand and mitigate worst case/explosive or high human health risk conditions.
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Interested parties are invited to participate in standards developing activities of Task Group D07.02.08 on structural insulated panels (SIPs). This group is under jurisdiction of Subcommittee D07.02 on Lumber and Engineered Wood Products, part of ASTM International Committee D07 on Wood, and aims to standardize process for deriving design properties for SIPs so their reliability and safety are comparable to other engineered wood systems used in wood frame construction.
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With publication of AEM's first safety manual e-book, Hydraulic Excavator Safety Manual, equipment operators can access safety information wherever they carry their mobile devices. Electronic version is not meant to replace print version but provides another way to reach equipment operators and help them practice safety on jobsite. E-book options include variable type, bookmarks, ability to embed and e-mail notes, content searching, as well as low-light reading format.
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